Law, Grace And Truth

John 1:17 (NIV):
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

This verse contrasts the covenant established through Moses with the transformative new covenant brought by Jesus Christ. It reveals the progression of God’s revelation to humanity, emphasizing the fulfillment and completion of the Law in Jesus. Here’s an in-depth exploration:

1. The Law Was Given Through Moses

  • The Role of the Law:
    • The Law, given through Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–24), included commandments, moral codes, and ceremonial practices. It was a covenant between God and Israel.
    • The purpose of the Law was to:
      • Reveal God’s holiness.
      • Provide guidelines for righteous living.
      • Expose sin and humanity’s need for redemption.
      • Point forward to the coming Messiah.
  • The Limitations of the Law:
    • While the Law revealed God’s standards, it could not save people from sin. Instead, it highlighted their inability to achieve righteousness through works.
    • Romans 3:20: “No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
    • The Law was preparatory, paving the way for Jesus Christ.

2. Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ

  • Grace:
    • Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor, His love, and kindness extended to humanity despite their sinfulness.
    • Jesus embodies grace by offering forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life to all who believe in Him, fulfilling what the Law could not achieve.
    • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
  • Truth:
    • Truth is the ultimate reality of God’s character and His redemptive plan, revealed fully in Jesus.
    • Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), bringing clarity to God’s purposes and fulfilling the promises of the Law and the Prophets.
  • Grace and Truth Together:
    • In Jesus, grace and truth are perfectly united:
      • Grace without truth would compromise God’s holiness.
      • Truth without grace would result in judgment without mercy.
    • Jesus’ life and ministry demonstrate both: He extended compassion to sinners while upholding the truth of God’s righteousness.

3. The Fulfillment of the Law in Jesus

  • Completion of the Law:
    • Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it. He perfectly obeyed it and brought its purpose to completion.
    • Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
  • New Covenant:
    • The grace and truth revealed in Jesus signify a new covenant, one that offers direct access to God through faith rather than adherence to the Law.
    • Hebrews 8:6: “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.”

4. The Contrast Between Moses and Jesus

  • Moses as a Servant:
    • Moses was a servant of God, delivering the Law to the people. His role was to guide Israel and point them toward God’s promises.
    • Hebrews 3:5: “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future.”
  • Jesus as the Son:
    • Jesus is the Son of God, greater than Moses, and the ultimate revelation of God’s will.
    • Hebrews 3:6: “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.”
    • Through Jesus, God reveals His grace and truth fully, inviting all people into a relationship with Him.

5. Implications for Believers

  • Freedom from the Law:
    • Believers are no longer bound by the ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the Law, as Jesus’ death and resurrection provide complete atonement for sin.
    • Galatians 3:24-25: “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
  • Living in Grace and Truth:
    • Grace empowers believers to live righteously, not through obligation but through love for God.
    • Truth calls believers to walk in the light of Christ, living authentically and according to His teachings.

Application for Today

  1. Rely on God’s Grace:
    • Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not by human effort. Embrace the grace that is freely given.
  2. Live in Truth:
    • Follow Jesus’ teachings and reflect His character, holding fast to the truth of the Gospel.
  3. Recognize Jesus as the Fulfillment:
    • See the Old Testament Law as a pointer to Jesus, who fulfills its promises and offers something far greater—a personal relationship with God.

Conclusion

John 1:17 highlights the transformative shift from the Law, which revealed sin, to Jesus Christ, who embodies grace and truth. Through Him, God’s character is fully revealed, and humanity is offered salvation. This verse invites believers to embrace the grace and truth found in Jesus, living in freedom and obedience to God’s ultimate revelation.